Things are tough for a lot of people in the world.  I will admit, I have struggled with new restrictions and the way COVID19 will forever change the world.  But as I settle into a new reality, I am figuring out how I can help while following social distancing and “shelter-in-place” orders.  My hope is we start seeing things return to normal soon.

In the meantime, I am creating a way to reach out, called Coffee Cup Stories.  Maybe this will catch on and spread some smiles.  So I will start with my story, and I look forward to hearing your story and seeing your coffee cup, mug, paper cup, glass, whatever, in the responses.  Tell me how you are, working from home, not working, recovering, helping, being an essential person, in health care, curled up in a ball in the corner, binge watching Ozark or Tiger King, etc.

Coffee Cup #1:  I live in a county where there is a lot of confusion about the “stay-at-home” order that was sort of issued.  During the press conference, the County Judge, surrounded by officials from neighboring small counties and cities, declared that EVERY business and job is essential, and if you did not have a job, you needed to get a job.  No, I’m not kidding.  I quote:

“Persons who are employed need to stay employed,” Hill said. “Persons who lack employment need to gain employment. Businesses that are able to remain open need to remain open.”

In order to ease my anxiety over the fact that my county officials are idiots, I picked this morning’s Coffee Cup.  It came via Australia to Croatia to the US from friends who are from Croatia but living in the US, and now back in Croatia. Other than the image reflecting nothing but chill vibes, this cup makes me think about my friends everywhere.  And if it makes you feel better, the Order above has been rescinded.   Stay safe.

Carpet Diem

It’s the annual New Year’s blog post for Cynthetics.  Thank you for sticking with me all these years, and welcome if you are new.  I went off the grid for a while, but I’m back with so many musings about my observations of people, I’m about to burst.

I’m sure YOU have some New Year’s resolutions for 2020.  Most people do.  Maybe they are in your head or you have written them down.  Maybe you even have what Rich Habits Poor Habits author suggests, a “vision board.”   I have done a vision board, and now after 10 years, it has morphed into layers of crap I never look at.  I’ll have to rethink that form of goal seeking.

So what are your resolutions this year?  The usual resolutions: lose weight, eat better, exercise, don’t curse (I never win this one), save money, pay your debt off, blah blah blah.  I say go for it, make it a big one.  So, I decided to quit caffeine.

I quit drinking all forms of sodas (non-caffeine and caffeine) years and years ago.  Regarding other caffeine, I started months before the new year with no more caffeine in the afternoons.  Of course, I upped my morning coffee to about 10 cups since it is the nectar of the Gods (other than wine).  Then I purchased decaf coffee for the office and for my home.  So I haven’t quit coffee, just the caffeine.  I experienced a short withdrawal with some headaches and falling asleep at my desk mid-afternoon like an old person.  I hope I didn’t snore too loudly.  Now, I’m feeling much better physically, have more energy, and only fall asleep during crime shows on television.

Any advise for quitting coffee? No I don’t drink tea.  I grew up in the US, and if you offer me tea, it is iced, and since I from the South or Southwest (depends on where you put the country of Texas on the map), people tend to offer me sweat tea.  Yuck! I went to Reddit for some advice from people who could give a rat’s butt.  Who thought of voting on a post and Reddit karma anyway?  One piece of advice off Reddit was to take a caffeine pill.  I voted that one down.  If you desire New Year resolution advice from people who may vote you up or down, check out www.reddit.com.

Good luck with your resolutions, and Happy New Year!

Carpe Diem